The World's New Chic Airports

Name: Hamad International AirportCity: Doha, QatarWhat’s new: Everything. The $15.5 billion stunner will replace the current international airport in Doha.When: April 1, 2013What’s in it for you: ● All boarding gates will be connected to the flights via aerobridges. That means no long waits for coaches to transport you to and from the aircraft.● Dedicated terminals for business and first class passengers. ● 150-odd passenger check-in stations (about 30 of which are for business and first class). So, you can look forward to a swift boarding procedure.Watch out for: The second terminal will be built in time for the soccer world cup in 2022. By then, the first terminal will be used exclusively by national carrier Qatar Airways.

Name: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International AirportCity: Kolkata, IndiaWhat’s new: A five-level integrated passenger terminal; at present, it has launched only international operations, gradually domestic flights would shift to this plush building too. Launch: January 20, 2013What’s in it for you: ● Many more international connections: Japan Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Gulf Air and FlyDubai are eager to fly to the City of Joy.Watch out for: The A380. The new Kolkata airport has an extended runway that can handle the landing of the Big Bird, whenever it happens.

Image: Tami Chappell / Reuters

Name: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International AirportCity: Atlanta, USAWhat’s new: A sleek $1.4 billion international terminal at the busiest airport in the world. Launch: May 16, 2012What’s in it for you: ● Cuts exit time by about 45 minutes as international travellers headed for the city can skip baggage re-checking after customs clearance.● Landed up in the wrong concourse? You have ‘Plane Train’ and walkways connecting the length and breadth of the airport.● The terminal adds 12 international gates to the airport, easing out traffic from the other concourses and streamlining operations for an airport that handles about 2,500 flights every day. Watch out for: Jaw-dropping artwork.